All Articles For Dick Mitchell C

Rev. Dick is pastor of Grace Protestant Reformed Church in Standale, Michigan. With this study we begin our searching the Scriptures together. A few things before we begin. First, as to the manner in which we ought to engage in Bible study: May we ever be as the Bereans! May God grant us His grace and Holy Spirit to search the Scriptures as becomes Christian nobility! May the profit of our searching be our sanctification unto the praise of God! Second, we plan on continuing a study of the gospel according to John. This study was begun a few years...

Rev. Dick is pastor of Grace Protestant Reformed Church in Standale, Michigan. Manna and the RFPA All this leads us to the exclusivist, particularist position. We have presented the religious stew, pluralism, and the mush, inclusivism. We have spit both out. But now, what do we eat? What shall we eat? What food shall we publish? Manna! Manna is the food of the gospel. It is Jesus Christ, the bread from heaven. It is the only wholesome, saving food. Exclusivism promotes this Manna. It refuses to sell stew, or typeset mush. It publishes Manna only, and faith in Jesus Christ...

Rev. Dick is pastor of Grace Protestant Reformed Church in Standale, Michigan. In our first study on John 11 (cf. the Standard Bearer, November 1, 1997) we introduced the narrative, and noted the main purpose of Jesus’ raising of Lazarus, namely, that it be “for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby” (v. 4). We noted also that, really, the main focus in John 11 is not on Lazarus, nor his death and resurrection, but on Jesus, the resurrection and the life. Let us continue to have this biblical focus in our searching the...

Rev. Dick is pastor of Grace Protestant Reformed Church in Standale, Michigan. As Jesus’ public ministry came to a close it became very clear: He was the kind of person you either loved or you hated. His ministry compelled one to take a stand either for or against Him. One could not halt between two opinions. His person, His visage, His words, His deeds worked faith and love for Himself, or, exposing sin and unrepentance in reprobate men, they hardened sinners. Light has this way about it: it brings out the children of the light who welcome the light with...

Rev. Dick is pastor of Grace Protestant Reformed Church in Standale, Michigan. In the passage before us, John 7:32ff., Jesus is at the Jews’ feast of tabernacles. He is there to teach (v. 14). This was a bold move on Jesus’ part. For the Jews were seeking to kill Him for His words and works (5:X3, 7:ll). And Jesus’ instruction at the temple at this time only serves to fan the anger of some of the Jews towards Him (v. 30). However, many of the Jews believed on Jesus (v. 31). For, according to verse 31, they could not imagine...

Rev. Dick is pastor of Grace Protestant Reformed Church in Standale, Michigan. It was dark. Very dark. It was the darkness of sin. The time of the power of darkness…. The Devil’s darkness! This world’s prince. Dark ruler. Chaining men to darkness. Confusing darkness. Death’s darkness. For this was judgment. Judgment of the God who is light and in whom is no darkness at all. Who hates sin. Who sends the darkness plague. Dark deeds, dark heresies, dark rebellions deserve damning darkness. God kills darkness. Justice, Godness, demand darkness’ death. Behold! There is light! Speaking in the darkness! Last public...

Rev. Dick is pastor of Grace Protestant Reformed Church in Standale, Michigan. It is the last day, that great day of the feast of tabernacles. Jesus has been teaching of Himself and His gospel. The Jews had marveled that such an unlearned man could speak with such wisdom and authority. Some believed this Jesus was the Christ. Some thought He had a devil. The Pharisees and chief priests had sent officers-to take Him. Certain it was that, whatever and whoever He was, this Jesus was causing quite a commotion! And now Jesus has one more word to say at this...

Rev. Dick is pastor of Grace Protestant Reformed Church in Standale, Michigan. Jesus is in the temple, teaching (John 8:2). He had come early in the morning. And all the people had come unto Him. Beautiful picture here of true worship! People worshiping God in Jesus. No brass bands. No need of liturgical dancing. They worship through hearing His Word. And all come. There is no distinction. One and all who believe on Him, and who will learn of Him and His gospel – all these come. They come “early in the morning” — first thing. Worship is their priority...

Rev. Dick is pastor of Grace Protestant Reformed Chruch in Standale, Michigan. Amazing Teacher, this Jesus of Nazareth! What other teacher lectures about Himself? What other teacher speaks with such authority? Whose words besides His not only inform, but save? Who may teach, besides Him, and demand for Himself the worship of those who sit at His feet? Who else might say, would say, could say: “I am the light of the world”? Astounding claim! Was Jesus drawing the attention of the people away from the burning torches of the Feast of Tabernacles which had recently been shedding their glow...

Rev. Dick is pastor of Grace Protestant Reformed Church in Standale, Michigan. Certainly the key verse in this passage is verse 32. There Jesus says: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” What wonderful gospel here! Truth! Yes, there is truth! No, everything is not relative. No, all is not chaos. There is truth! Besides, it can be known! Besides, this truth does something. And that something is very wonderful! The truth, and only the truth, and nothing but the truth makes us free! For Study, Meditation, and Discussion   Jesus the Truth! 1....